Pipe coating and wrapping



March 14, 1944; PERRAULT PIPE COATING AND WRAPPING Filed Jan. 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR, Ew/5 PfHRA'uLT 1 ATTO EY.

March 14, 1944. PERRAULT PIPE comme AND WRAPPING Filed Jan. 17, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ew/.s PEHRA u1. r

Patented Mar. 14, 1944 PIPE COATING AND WRAPPING Lewis Perrault, Tulsa, Okla.. assigner of one-halt to Ainslee Perrault, Tulsa, Okla.

Application January 17,1941, semi No. 374,918

16 Claims.

. This invention relates to a portable pipe coating and wrapping unit which is adapted to be mounted on the pipe line to be coated and Wrapped and then moved there along as the pipe line is progressively coated and wrapped. The invention pertains particularly to applying the coating in a smooth layer of uniform thickness about the pipe line with no air bubbles therein and .supplying same for application under conditions to provide an excess which is caught and returned to the supply source for subsequent use as the coating is smoothed or ironed in a uniform layer around the pipe line.

The invention generally described provides a circulating system whereby weather protecting material, such as asphalt and bituminouscomposition, is continually fed and spread over the top of a pipeline and gravitated down its opposite sides to the bottom where any excess not deposited on the pipe line is caught and fed back over the pipe. As the coating material is fed upon the pipe line, it is smoothed and ironed to a lm layer o1' uniform thickness, particularly on the bottom and two sides. The supply coating and the excess is continuously heated and circulated in order to be kept at the proper owing consistency.

For a better understanding of the invention,

reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine, mounted upon a section of pipe line, embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the opposite side of a portion of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section of the smoothing collar on the line 4-4' of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the smoothing collar oi the machine, looking at the bottom thereof, and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the smoothing collar.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like parts, the portable machine comprises a main frame I composed of spaced apart side bars I a, a sub-frame 2 ixed to one end of the main frame, and sets of traction` rolls 3 and aiournalled in brackets I which are ilxed in spaced apart relation along the length of the main frame.

A tank 5, containing a supply of coating ma- `terialis also mounted on the main frame, prei'- erably intermediately of its end. VAn overflow or auxiliary tank 8 is suspended beneath the supply tank and below the pipe line in position to receive any overiiow of the coating material which is ted from the supply tank through an ironing or smoothingcollar 1 disposed about the pipe line.

Any suitable power device or motor l, such as `an internal combustion engine for example, is

also mounted on the main frame for driving the traction rolls 3, 3a to move the portable unit along the pipe line and also to revolve a wrapping reel or reels 8 in the sub-frame about the pipe line.

'I'he sub-frame 2 is disposed partially or entirely around the pipe line with any number of rollers (not shown) radially disposed for rotatably mounting a gear ring or drum I0 to which one or more reel supporting stubs I I are attached. Reels 9 are pivoted to supports II at the proper angles to the pipe line for helically unwinding the wrapping material I2, paper or felt preferably bituminized, from the reels'upon the pipe line in lapped or unlapped position. Each reel is preferably provided with a movable end I 3 opposite to friction rings I3a so that the end and rings may f' be pressed against the edge of the rolled wrapping material by spring I4 to prevent too free unwinding of the wrapping material from the reel. The tension of the spring can be able adjusting device I5.

'Ihe gear ring or drum I0, to which the reels of wrapping material are attached, is driven by a gear wheel I6 which is positioned on the end ot a drive shaft Il to mesh with the teeth of the gear ring or drum. The gear ring or drum is advantageously covered with a guard casing I8 to protect same, particularly from the coating material which would daub and smear it. A protector guard I8a may also be interposed between the pipe line and the gear mechanism, this preferably extending from a point adjacent to where the wrapping material iirst contacts the pipe line to the auxiliary tank 6 so that all drippings of the coating material will be caught iromthe time A that the coating is applied until it is covered by the wrapping material.

The auxiliary tank 6` can be supported on the frame in desiredV position by any number of rods I9. The ends of these supporting rods are prei'- erably provided with threads so that a wide range of vertical adjustment may be provided by means of nuts 20. A stud 2| can also be conveniently provided on the auxiliary tank to which the smoothing collar 'I can be fastened, by some such means as arm 22 in predetermined xed position relatively to the supply tank. The collar and auxadju'sted by any suitof the outlet or spout 3l of thev supply tank 5.

iliary tank are thereby made a unit with vertical relative movement permitted but no longitudinal relative movement after the two parts have been adjusted in relation to each other. The arm 22 is pivoted at 23 to the auxiliary tank or some means thereon and at 24 to the stud 2l. The arm 22 may be made in sections 22a, 22b and 22o which are screwthreadediy connected so that it may be shortened or lengthened and the sections secured by lock nut 25.

The ironing or smoothing collar 1 is substantially arcuate to provide a bottom part 28 conforming to the contour of the lower half section "of the pipe line and upwardly extended side portions 21. The collar is of substantial length with embossed portions 28 on each side portion 21 to provide chambers 28 of progressively diminishing depth towards the bottom part 28. The coating material is fed from the nozzle 30 The nozzle is preferably constructed with diverging parts 32 to assure disposition of -the coating material on both sides of the pipe line directly above the chambers 28 in the smoothing collar. The chambers 28 in the smoothing collar provide for an oversupply of coating material fed into the collar adjacent the pipe line with, however, only a limited amount being spread on the pipe line, this amount being determined by spacing at 33, the collar, or at least the rear end, a desired distance from the pipe line and dragging it over the coating.

The means for spacing the smoothing collar from the pipe line is typified by any number of rolls 34 radially disposed on the exterior of the collar about the pipe line. These rolls are preferably adjustable to accommodate pipe lines of diiferent diameter. Adjustability is typified by mounting each of the rolls on an arm 35 pivoted at 38 to lugs 31 provided on the outside of the collar. Recesses 38 are formed in the collar to permit the rolls contacting with the pipe line. A strap 3l. with recesses 48 to receive the arms 35, is attached to the collar at 42 and has adjusting screws 43 adjacent recesses 48 bearing against the arms 35 on which the rolls 34 are supported. Lock nut 45 secures the adjusting screws in position. Lugs 48 are provided on the ends 'of `the collar for being pivoted at 23 to arm 22. Projections 41 can also be provided for more easily handling the collar when it is assembled or bled in the machine and to receive the endssof arms or springs 48 which are attached to a lug 48 on some part of the main frame for resiliently suspending the smoothing collar. The upper end 58 of the arm or spring is provided with a plurality of recesses 5| to permit adjusting and iensioning the arms or springs. Cotter pin 52 is inserted through any of the recesses 5I 'I'he set of traction wheels 3 is on a shaft 53, the end of which is provided with a sprocket 54 that is connected with sprocket 55 on a speed reducer 58, of conventional design except that sprockets 51 are added to run the set of traction rolls 3 in a clockwise direction by4 sprocket chain 58. The opposite end of shaft 53 is also provided with a sprocket (similar to 54) which is connected to sprocket 58 by a sprocket chain 8l on the end of the shaft 53a on which traction rolls 70 3a are mounted. Y

Drive shaft i1 is journalled in bearings 8l with one end provided with the gear wheel I8 as above described and the opposite end associated with conventional clutch mechanism 82, controlled by handle 83, that is.connected with the speed re ducer 58. The handle is pivoted to any suitable member 83a nxed to the frame.

In order to balance the portable unit on the pipe line, extension arms 84 pivoted at 55 to the main frame may be provided with a roiler G8 resiliently held against the underside of the pipe line by an arm 81 projecting through a socket 88 on the frame and a spring 85 inserted between the socket and the end of the arm opposite to that which is pivoted at to the extension arms 84.

The supply tank is iilled with any suitable coating material, such as asphalt or the like, and is heated by a heating device in the supply tank, to a fluid condition where it hows from the discharge spout on top and side of the smoothing collar. The overflow material is vcaught in the auxiliary and pumped back through conduit 1l to the supply tank.

A pump 1I is provided for this purpose and is connected with the power unit by any suitable drive connection 12. A clutch 13 is also provided with a clutch handle 14, near to clutch handle 83. so that the pump may be rendered operative and 'inoperative independently of the drive.

Another conduit 15 may be connected near the bott@ of supply tank 5 to lead to the auxiliary tank so that the coating material may be continuously circulated from one tank to the other and be kept at the proper ilowing consistency.

Numeral 18 is a handle journalled in bearing 11 for operating any suitable mechanical mixing or stirring device contained within the tank.

A valve 11 may also be advantageously provided on the auxiliary or overflow tank so that any sediment or foreign matter settling to the bottom may be vconveniently discharged.

The machine in operation moves from left to right (Fig. 1) on the pipe line. the coating material being first applied around the pipe surface -and smoothed, after which the coated pipe is wrapped with the bituminized felt or paper. As above described, dripping of excess coating material from the smoothing collar 1 normally is caught by protector guard 18a and returned te auxiliary tank 8, particularly when the machine is traveling on the level. However, yit more often happens that the machine is traveling up an incline, and thus a semi-cylindrical band 88 with a flared apron or guide 88 may be advantageously mounted by metal straps 5I, 88' on that end of the ironing collar 1, adjacent guard Ila to intercept the drlppings from the collar and directthemintotheauxiliarytankt. Oneend of the straps 88 are welded or otherwise amxed to the collar 1, and the opposite ends' are bolted at 8| to the band 88.` This guide or apron is preferably'VV added in lieuf of or as an auxiliary to guide Ila. I

The apparatus as constructed permits sameJ to be mounted or suspended on any suitable mp1 port other than the pipe line so that it is readily adaptedto be used either as a movable or istl tionary machine. As a stationary machine sections oi pipe are fed through the machine between the traction rolls and the rollin the extension frame.

While the cover wrapping unit is combined and cooperates with the coating unit in the combination, it is dispensible and may be eliminated or rendered inoperative so that the pipe line is coated only and without any wrapping material applied thereover. So. too, the coating feeding mechanimmaybcrcnderedlnoperativescthat the pipe line is -wrapped directly with thecovering material without any previously applied l coating. Pipe lines are sometimes only wrapped, or only coated, or both coated or wrapped. and

has been shown and described in detail for carrying out the invention, it will be understood that there may be changes in detail without departing from the spirit ot the invention.

I claim:

l. A pipe coating machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line from which coating material is discharged upon said pipe line comprising a main irame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank also movable along the pipe line and provided with a nozzle through which coating material is discharged above the pipe line, an overflow or auxiliary tank on the frame below the pipe line, mechanical means for returning overflow material from the auxiliary tank to be discharged again through the nozzle, a smoothing collar disposed adjacent the pipe line between the nozzle and the auxiliary tank, said collar being resiliently supported on the frame and pivotally connected to the auxiliary tank, and a roller means attached to the collar and disposed to have rolling contact with the pipe for spacing the collar.

2. A pipe coating machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line from which coating material is discharged upon said pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank also movable along the pipe line and provided with a nozzle through which coating material is discharged above the pipe line, an overtlow or auxiliary tank on the frame below the pipe line, mechanical means for returning overilow material from the auxiliary tank to be discharged again through the nozzle, a smoothing collar disposed adjacent the pipe line. between the nozzle and the auxiliary tank, roller means attached to the collar and disposed to roll against the pipe line for spacing the collar from the pipe line, and means for banking an excessive coating supply along the under side of the pipe line while directing said coating to the bottom of the collar.

3. A pipe coating machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line from which coating material is discharged upon said pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank also movable along the pipe line and provided with a nozzle through which coating material is discharged above the pipe line, an overilow or auxiliary tank on the frame below the pipe line, mechanical means for returning overflow material from the auxiliary tank to be discharged again through the nozzle, a smoothing collar disposed adjacent the pipe line between the nozzle and the auxiliary tank, aroller means attached to the collar and disposed to roll against the pipe line for spacing the collar` from the pipe line, and

open chambers provided in the sides of the collar spaced from its rear end leading to the bottom of the collar on the bottom side of the pipe.

.4. A pipe coating machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line from which coating material is discharged upon said pipe line comprising a main trame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank also movable along the pipe line and provided with a nozzle through which coating material is discharged above the pipe line, an overow or auxiliary tank on the frame below the pipe,

mechanical means for returning overflow material from the auxiliary tank to be discharged again through the nozzle, a smoothing collar disposed adiacent the pipe line between the nozzle and auxiliary tank and resiliently suspended from the trame, a roller on the collar and disposed to -bear against the pipe line to space the collar, and means for holding the collar against relative longitudinal movement without preventing its vertical movement relatively to the machine.

5. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line and from which machine coating material is discharged upon said pipe line comprising amain frame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank on the frame above the pipe line, an overow or auxiliary tank on the trame belowthe pipe line, mechanical means ior returning overilow material from the auxiliary tank to the supply tank, a sub-frame attached to the main frame adjacent the overilow tank and having a wrapping applying mechanism rotatably mounted therein, a smoothing collar disposed adjacent the pipe line between the supply and auxiliary tanks, and a guard device between the wrapping mechanism and the pipe to catch and return the coating drip to the overilow tank.

6. A smoothing collar for pipe coating machines comprising a substantial arcuate body providing bottom and side walls, a roller pivoted to the body disposed to bear against the pipe, and means tor adjusting the roller relatively to the body.

7. A smoothing collar for pipe coating machines comprising a substantially arcuate body providing bottom and side walls, an arm pivoted to the body, a roller journaled on said arm and disposed to bear against the pipe, and means for adjusting the arm to move the roller relatively to the collar.

8. A smoothing collar for pipe coating machines comprising a substantially arcuate body providing bottom and side walls, open chambers formed in the side walls and terminating short -oi the bottom, and means for spacing the collar from a pipe line comprising a roller adjustably mounted on the collar and disposed to bear against the pipe.

9. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, means for depositing coating material on top of the pipe line, an overilow tank on the trame below the pipe, a smoothing collar disposed adjacent the pipe line, mechanism ior applying wrapping material and means interposed between the wrapping applying mechanism and the smoothing collar and extending at least nearly past the wrapping mechanism and approximately near where the wrapping material is applied about the pipe for collecting any overflow from the collar and feeding same to the overilow tank, said means comprising a semi-cylindrical ilared por- -tlon disposed around the sides and bottom of the pipe.

l0. A smoothing collar for pipe coating machines, comprising an elongated body having bottom and side walls, and a ilared apron mounted upon the body and adjacent to one end of the body and deposed to collect and direct the flow of the collected coating drip.

1l. A pipe 'coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, a supply tank on the frame for coating material, a coating collar suspended beneath the pipe,

means for feeding the coating material from the tank tothe pipe above the collar, a wrapping applying mechanism rotatably mounted on the frame, and means interposed between the wrapping applying mechanism and the pipe for returning the coating drip to the tank.

12. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main frame supported-ontraction rolls, a supply tank on the frame i'or-eoating materiaL a coating collar-suspended beneath the pipe, means for feeding coating material from the supply tank t the pipe. a wrppins applying mechanism rotatably mounted on the trame, and means interposed between the wrapping applying mechanism and the pipe and also between the tank and collar for returning the coating drip to the tank.

13. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, a

' supply tank for coating material, a coating collar suspended beneath the pipe, means for feeding the coating material irom the tank to the pipe above the collar, a wrapping applying mecha nism rotatably mounted ou the frame, and means interposed between the wrapping applying mechanism and the pipe for returning the coating drip to the tank.

14. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main trame supported on traction rolls. a supply tank for coating materiaLa coating collar suspended beneath the pipe. means lor feeding coating material from the supply tank to thepipe, a wrappina appiyln mechanism rotatably mounted on the trame, and means interposed between the wrapping applying mechanism and the pipe and also between the tank and collar for returning the coating drip to the tank.

i5. A pipe coating and wrapping machine adapted to be moved along a pipe line comprising a main frame supported on traction rolls, a tank for coating material, means for feeding coating material from the tank to the pipe line,

a collar for spreading the coating material uponl the pipe line, wrapping applying mechanism rotatably mounted on the frame, and means l interposed between the tank and the collar and extending at least nearly past the wrapping mechanism for collecting and returning coating drip to the tank.

16. A smoothing collar chine; comprising a Sussman arcuate may providing bottom and side walls, a roller,

mounted thereon and projecting through the wall of the body to bear against lthe pipe. and means for the roller relatively to the tor pipe coating 

